The effects of eight weeks of resistance training on serum levels of FGF21, LCAT and LDL-C to HDL-C ratio in obese women

Background& fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF 21) protein involved in glucose, lipid metabolism and energy balance. The aim of this study was to determine effect of 8 weeks of resistance training on FGF21, LCAT, and LDL-C to HDL-C ratio in obese women.
Material and 20 obese women (Age 30/35 ± 2/27 years, height 1/61 ± 0/05 m, weight 85/24 ± 5/69 kg, BMI 32/49 ± 1/4 kg/m2; mean ± SD ) were randomly divided into 2 groups: resistance training and control groups. Resistance exercise include 6 stations with the intensity of 50-75% of 1RM, three days a week for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after 8 weeks (48 hours after the last training session) after 12 hours fasting. Analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to analyze the data.
The results showed that FGF21 and LCAT significantly increased in training group compared to the control group during the 8 weeks of resistance training(Respectively p =0.037 and p =0.009). Also LDL-C to HDL-C was significantly reduced ratio during 8 weeks of resistance activity compared with the control group(p =0.004).
The results of this study showed that eight weeks of resistance training, probably through increased levels of FGF21 and LCAT can be and as anti-atherogenic factor prevented cardiovascular diseases in obese people.